Confectionery compositions containing reactable ingredients

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and comestibles containing ingredients capable of reacting with each other when consumed. More specifically, in some embodiments, the confectionery composition includes a first region including a first confectionery base and a source of calcium ions and a second region including a second confectionery base and a source of phosphate ions. Desirably, the confectionery composition is non-homogenous. The present invention also provides methods of preparing such confectionery compositions and methods of remineralizing teeth by administering such confectionery compositions to an individual.

1 . A confectionery composition comprising:
 a first region comprising a first confectionery base and a source of calcium ions; and   a second region comprising a second confectionery base and a source of phosphate ions,   wherein said confectionery composition is non-homogenous.   
     
     
         2 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said first region and said second region contact the oral cavity substantially simultaneously upon consumption such that said calcium ions and said phosphate ions react with each other. 
     
     
         3 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , further comprising a coating. 
     
     
         4 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said first region and said second region both form exterior surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein neither said first region nor said second region form exterior surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein one of said first region or said second region forms an exterior surface. 
     
     
         7 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said first region further comprises a first flavor and said second region further comprises a second flavor. 
     
     
         8 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 7 , wherein said first flavor is complementary to said second flavor. 
     
     
         9 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 7 , wherein said first flavor is from the same flavor family as said second flavor. 
     
     
         10 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 7 , wherein said first flavor is not from the same flavor family as said second flavor. 
     
     
         11 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 7 , wherein the flavor intensity of said first flavor is greater than the flavor intensity of said second flavor. 
     
     
         12 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 7 , wherein the flavor intensity of said first flavor is not greater than the flavor intensity of said second flavor. 
     
     
         13 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 2 , wherein the weight percent of said first region is substantially equal to the weight percentage of said second region. 
     
     
         14 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 2 , wherein the weight percent of said first region is not substantially equal to the weight percent of said second region. 
     
     
         15 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said first confectionery base is selected from the group consisting of hard candy, soft candy, edible film, chewing gum, and chocolate. 
     
     
         16 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 15 , wherein said first confectionery base further comprises a sugar, a polyol, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said second confectionery base is selected from the group consisting of hard candy, soft candy, edible film, chewing gum, and chocolate. 
     
     
         18 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 17 , wherein said second confectionery base further comprises a sugar, a polyol, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said first confectionery base is the same as said second confectionery base. 
     
     
         20 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said first confectionery base is not the same as said second confectionery base. 
     
     
         21 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first region and said second region provides an efficacy signal to a consumer of said confectionery composition. 
     
     
         22 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 21 , wherein said efficacy signal is selected from the group consisting of a cooling sensation, a warming sensation, a tingling sensation, an effervescence sensation, a salivation sensation, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 21 , wherein said first region provides a first efficacy signal to a consumer of said confectionery composition and said second region provides a second efficacy signal to said consumer. 
     
     
         24 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 23 , wherein said first efficacy signal and said second efficacy signal are independently selected from the group consisting of a cooling sensation, a warming sensation, a tingling sensation, an effervescence sensation, a salivation sensation, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 23 , wherein said first efficacy signal is the same as said second efficacy signal. 
     
     
         26 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 23 , wherein said first efficacy signal is not the same as said second efficacy signal. 
     
     
         27 . A confectionery composition comprising:
 a first region comprising a hard candy base and a calcium salt; and   a second region comprising a hard candy base and a phosphate salt;   wherein said first region and said second region contact the oral cavity substantially simultaneously upon consumption such that said calcium ions and said phosphate ions react with each other, and wherein said confectionery composition is non-homogenous.   
     
     
         28 . A confectionery composition comprising:
 a first region comprising a first reactable active; and   a second region comprising a second reactable active, wherein said first reactable active and said reactable second active react with each other in the mouth when said confectionery composition is consumed,   wherein at least one of said first region and said second region provides an efficacy signal to a consumer of said confectionery composition, and wherein said confectionery composition is non-homogenous.   
     
     
         29 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 28 , wherein said first region and said second region contact the oral cavity substantially simultaneously when the confectionery composition is consumed. 
     
     
         30 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 28 , wherein said first reactable active comprises a substance whose pH is above 7.0 and said second reactable active comprises a substance whose pH is below 7.0. 
     
     
         31 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 30 , wherein said substance whose pH is above 7.0 comprises a bicarbonate salt. 
     
     
         32 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 28 , wherein said first reactable active comprises a peroxyl compound and said second reactable active comprises a substance whose pH is above 7.0. 
     
     
         33 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 32 , wherein said peroxyl compound is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The confectionery composition as in  claim 28 , wherein said efficacy signal is selected from the group consisting of a cooling sensation, a warming sensation, a tingling sensation, an effervescence sensation, a salivation sensation, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         35 . A method of making a confectionery composition comprising the steps of:
 forming a first confectionery region comprising a first confectionery base and a source of calcium ions;   forming a second confectionery region comprising a second confectionery base and a source of phosphate ions; and   combining said first confectionery region and said second confectionery region to form a non-homogenous confectionery composition.   
     
     
         36 . The method of making a confectionery composition as in  claim 35 , further comprising the step of applying a coating to said confectionery composition. 
     
     
         37 . The method of making a confectionery composition as in  claim 35 , wherein said first confectionery region and said second confectionery region contact the oral cavity substantially simultaneously when said confectionery composition is consumed. 
     
     
         38 . A method of remineralizing teeth comprising the step of administering the confectionery composition of  claim 1  into the oral cavity of an individual. 
     
     
         39 . A method of creating an effervescent sensation comprising the step of administering the confectionery composition of  claim 30  into the oral cavity of an individual. 
     
     
         40 . A method of whitening teeth comprising the step of administering the confectionery composition of  claim 32  into the oral cavity of an individual. 
     
     
         41 . A kit for tooth remineralization comprising:
 the confectionery composition of  claim 1 ;   instructions for use of said confectionery composition; and   a container housing said confectionery composition and said instructions for use.   
     
     
         42 . An edible composition kit comprising a plurality of edible pieces, a package wherein said plurality of edible pieces are packaged so that at least a first piece and a second piece are capable of contacting the oral cavity substantially simultaneously, wherein said first piece comprises a first confectionery base and a source of calcium ions and said second piece comprises a second confectionery base and a source of phosphate ions, wherein said calcium ions and said phosphate ions react with each other in the mouth when consumed.